nursing research week 14
lilyalonso
Tappen2eChapter24.pptxChapter 24
Preparing Research Proposals
Research Proposals
A proposal is an idea that is put forward for consideration
There are two types of proposals:
Thesis or dissertation proposal
Proposal for funding
2
Thesis and Dissertation Proposals
Thesis and dissertation proposals focus primarily on the topic selected and how you plan to study it
3
Thesis and Dissertation Proposals
Thesis and dissertation proposals are composed of preliminary drafts of what will become the first three chapters of the completed dissertation:
The introduction
A review of the literature
The methods chapter
4
Thesis and Dissertation Proposals
The proposal should address:
Statement of the problem
Theoretical framework explored
Significance of the study
Existing literature on the topic
Limitations of existing theory and research on the topic
5
Thesis and Dissertation Proposals
The methods section should include:
Type of study and the study design used
Information about the sample
Participant recruitment
Data collection plan
Data analysis plan
6
Guidance for Writing a Thesis or Dissertation Proposal
Sources of guidance are:
Chair of your committee and committee members
Peers
Writing center
Published guides
Approved proposals
7
Proposals for Funding
A good research proposal for funding is a combination of good science and some artful persuasion that your idea is worthy of financial support
8
Proposals for Funding
Two major differences between theses and dissertations and proposals for funding are:
You will be competing with others who are also trying to win support for their proposal
There will be more distance between you and the people reviewing your proposal
9
Proposals for Funding
The first step in preparing a grant application is to craft a research question
The research question should be, novel, feasible, manageable, meaningful, and measureable (Arnett, 2009)
10
Proposals for Funding
Categories of funding sources include:
Internal
Professional association grants
Disease-specific associations
Private foundations
Corporate funders
Federal agencies
11
Information Commonly Requested
Funders will usually ask for different types of information about you and your organization and may include:
Preparation and experience
Budget
Description of the environment
Assurances
12
Information Commonly Requested
The preparation and experience section will include:
Mentor guidance, if available
Skills and expertise
Education and employment
Publications or previous research
Other members of your team
13
Information Commonly Requested
The budget section will include:
List of people who will be involved in the study, including the amount of effort they will contribute and the cost of their support
List of any equipment, supplies, software, lab test fees, and other expenses that will be incurred
Overhead or indirect costs
14
Information Commonly Requested
The budget section will include:
Description of the work each person will do in relation to the proposed study and explanation of the purpose for any equipment, supplies, and other expenses
Exact cost figures applied to your conceptual budget
15
Information Commonly Requested
The budget section will include:
Budget adjustments as needed
A second draft of the budget if you need to fine-tune it so it is within the amounts allowed by the grantor
A budget justification explaining how you will use the funds you requested
16
Information Commonly Requested
The description of the environment section will include:
Accessibility to prospective participants
Supportive infrastructure
Space available to conduct study
17
Information Commonly Requested
The description of the environment section will include:
Library access
Laboratory space
Geographic and demographic characteristics of the institution, community, and cooperating facilities
18
Information Commonly Requested
The assurances section will include:
Not-for-profit or 501(c)3 status
Institution review board (IRB) approval
Protection of human subjects or animals
Equal opportunity employer
19
Suggestions and Guidelines for Preparing Applications for Funding
Follow the directions
Write as clearly as possible
Choose your words carefully
Use terms consistently
Emphasize the importance of your topic
20
Suggestions and Guidelines for Preparing Applications for Funding
Let your passion for the subject show
Keep science foremost in what is written
Reflect current thinking
Make everything fit together like pieces of a puzzle
21
Suggestions and Guidelines for Preparing Applications for Funding
Seek a presubmission review
Anticipate technical challenges
Fulfill presubmission requirements
22
Qualitative Proposals: Special Considerations
Two main challenges when preparing a qualitative research application are:
Most recommended outlines for proposals and criteria for evaluation are based on the quantitative paradigm
Reviewers may be less familiar with the criteria for rigor in qualitative research
23
Qualitative Proposals: Special Considerations
Suggestions for addressing these challenges are:
Explain why qualitative research is the right approach to answering the research question
Provide examples of why data collection methods may be modified during the course of the study and what course of action would be taken
24
Qualitative Proposals: Special Considerations
Suggestions for addressing these challenges are:
Thoroughly address the ways in which trustworthiness of the data will be established
Provide clear details about each phase of the data collection and analysis
Consider using mixed methods if appropriate
25
